Record keeping device



Feb. 1, 1938. B. E. RoEEM 6, 6

RECORD KEEPING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Fild Feb. 9, 1954 M: [Y E P wi h M0 1. 3 Mm Mu// Feb. 1, 1938. I ROREM 7 2,106,856

' RECORD KEEPING DEVICE Filed Feb. 9, 1934 4 5 Sheets-Sheet? INVENTOA BERNARD E. POPEM Feb. 1, 1938. B. E. RoREM RECORD KEEPING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fild Feb. 9, 1954 Patented Feb. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 20 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in record keeping or filing devices for use in various business establishments and the like and has among its objects the provision of novel devices 6 of the character indicated which will save time and labor in accurately keeping, checking, transposing and transferring such records.

Generally stated, the invention consists in novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a cabinet file drawer incorporating certain embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view sectioned on the line 2--2 of Fig. l and having some parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive, are fragmentary perspective views illustrating several successive steps during the application of a novel anchoring element to a card-like record carrier;

Fig. 8 is a view in edge elevation of a card-like record holder or carrier with an applied record sheet and anchoring element;

Fig. 9 is a plan View of a record sheet in completely opening or unfolded condition;

Fig. 10 is a face'view of a record carrier, similar to those of previously mentioned figures, and having applied thereto a record sheet, similar to those of previous figures, but incorporating somewhat modified means for detachably anchoring the record sheet thereto;

Fig. 11 is an edge view of the device, as shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the pivot lugs, shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of slightly modified form of pivot lug; and

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the application of the lug shown in Fig. 13.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 12, inclusive, the reference characters A designate record carriers or holders which are preferably, and as illustrated, in the nature of substantially rectangular cards and may, as will hereinafter become apparent, have certain data applied directly thereon or may serve solely as carriers for a removably applied record sheet or sheets but, in any event, will serve in the capacity of a record carrier. A plurality of these record carriers A will usually be pivotally mounted adjacent one edge to a substantially fiat base of support B, which, in the present instance, is in the nature of a file cabinet drawer of more or less conventional character, in spaced relation on the sup-.

port and for approximately 180 of pivotal movement so that either side thereof may be turned up and so that the free edges of overlapping rec- 0rd carriers will be progressively stepped back.

The particular devices here illustrated for pivotally attaching the record-like carriers A to the base of support B will later be described in detail, it sufficing for the moment to understand that the record carriers are pivotally mounted.

Folded over an edge of each card-like record holder or carrier and preferably over a free edge of each thereof, to afford a connected pair of substantially parallel leaves l5 each overlying an opposite side of its carrier A, is a record sheet C.

The folded sheets C may be detachably anchored to their respective holders in various different ways but this can very conveniently and economically be accomplished, in the vicinity of the line of fold of the sheet adjacent the associated edges of the card-like holder which in the preferred arrangement illustrated are the free edge portions of the holders A, by either the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 8 and 9 or the modified arrangement illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11.

Referring particularly now to Figs. 1, 2, 8 and 9, it will be noted that the free edge portions of the card-like holders A are provided with laterally spaced opposed lugs I6 each inwardly overlapping the free edge portion of their respective holder, over which the sheet is folded, to afford sheet-receiving recesses l1. When the sheet C is operatively positioned, the lugs l6 overlap the opposite edge portions thereof at the line of fold, indicated by dotted lines at IS in Fig. 9, and lock the sheet against accidental outward displacement in respect to the axis of the holder and against lateral displacement in respect to the holder.

Application of a record sheet to and removal thereof from a holder or carrier A is quickly and conveniently effected by merely buckling the intermediate portion of the sheet at the line of fold. It is desirable in many instances to also lock the sheet against endwise sliding movements through the recesses l1 and this is preferably aocomplished by providing opposite edges of the sheets with outwardly opening recesses IS, in alignment with the line of fold l8 thereof, for reception of the lugs Hi. It will of course, be understood that the lugs 16 will be spaced closer together when the sheet is recessed than it will be when the sheet recesses are omitted. This arrangement for detachably anchoring the record sheets to the holders or carriers is very highly desirable in that it is simple and inexpensive to provide, is positive and dependable in operation, and renders application and removal of the sheets very simply and quickly accomplished.

Referring now to the modified means for det-achably anchoring the record sheet or sheets to a holder, shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the record carrier is indicated by A and the folded record sheet by C. In this instance the card-like carrier A, in place of being provided'with 0pposed recesses for receiving only opposite edge portions of the sheet, as in Figs. 1, 2, 8 and 9, is provided in closely adjacent parallel relation to its free edge with one or more long recesses in the nature of a closed slot or slots Il it or each thereof being sufficiently wide to receive a record sheet C and providing an edge over which the record sheet may be folded. Obviously this arrangement necessitates insertion of the record sheet by longitudinally sliding action and does not permit the use of sheet recesses such as those indicated by H! in Figs. 1, 2, 8 and 9.

With reference to the last described arrangement the edge of the holder A over which edge the record sheet C is folded, is considered as the free edge of the holder since it is close to and for the purpose operates as the free edge of the holder and all portions of the holder outward of that edge are considered simply as means for detachably anchoring the sheet to the holder.

In either of the arrangements of Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, it is desirable that each leaf of each folded sheet C or C be terminated in relatively close substantially parallel relation to the axis of the holder since at this point there is a minimum radial outward movement of air produced over the leading face of a holder during pivotal movements from one position to another, and hence, a minimum tendency to raise the free edge of the leading sheet leaf away from the face of the holder. It Will be understood that there is a natural air pressure produced during pivotal movements of a record sheet-equipped holder against the leading sheet leaf which tends to press and hold the leading leaf in firm contact with its holder and .thus prevent crinkling up of the same between its holder and the holder engaged upon reaching an extreme position. There is, however, also produced during such pivotal movements an adversely acting radial outward movement of air over the leading sheet leaf which, if permitted to get under the free edge of said leading leaf, will tend to lift the same out of engagement with the holder. This adverse radial movement of air is, of course, at a minimum near the axis of the holder and increases rapidly outward of the axis, hence the desirability of maintaining the free edges of the sheet leaves in relatively close proximity to the axis of the holder. When this is done the adverse action of the radially outward moving currents of air will be so minimized as to be ineffective even if the free edges of the leaves are turned or curled as is apt to happen in use.

Another advantage in having the free ends of the sheet leaves terminate in close proximity to the axis of their respectiveholders is found when pivotal movements of a record sheet-equipped holder are so slow as to produce no appreciable favorable air pressure against the leading l in which case the leading leaf will tend, after the holder passes beyond a vertical position, to remain in a vertical position under continued pivotal movements of the holder, due to action of gravity. When this happens the free edge of a leading sheet leaf will strike the ultimate support while the holder is still in an intermediate position and while the said sheet leaf is in a practically vertical position with the result that the leaf will be crinkled up under continued pivotal movement. This trouble, however, is also largely, if not entirely, eliminated by terminating the free edges of the sheet leaves in close relation to the axis of pivotal movement since when this is done the space between, the anchored edge of the leading leaf and the ultimate support will be reduced to less than sufficient to permit the leading leaf to acquire a vertical position under such very small angular movements of the holder beyond a vertical position that by the time the free edge of the leading leaf does actually engage the ultimate support, said leaf will have assumed such an outwardly inclined position that its free edge will slide freely toward the axis of the holder.

With the sheets C folded over the holders A in the manner described, the entire side of each sheet leaf is available for entering of records thereon by merely flipping the carrier A from one extreme position to another to expose opposite sheet leaves. This permits working downwardly from one free edge of one sheet leaf to the line of fold and then flipping the sheet-equipped holder over to expose the opposite leaf and then working from the line of fold down that sheet to the free edge thereof so that when each leaf is filled and the sheet is removed and opened out, as in Fig. 9, the recorded information can be read continuously from top to bottom of the open sheet.

In the particular adaptation illustrated, the sheets l5 are narrower than the carriers A so that portions of the carriers A are exposed and said exposed portions and the adjacent sheet leaves are provided with horizontal rulings that are ar-, ranged to become automatically aligned when the sheets are operatively positioned. For use in recording sales of merchandise, for example, certain permanent information such as names, identification, numbers and prices, of different classes of merchandise may be applied directly to the exposed portions of the card-like holders A with information pertainingto each individual class arranged on a different horizontal line and the number of items of each class of merchandise sold or called for may be recorded in horizontally aligned relation on the ruled sheet leaf opposite thereto by tally marks or the like.

In practice such information, as is contained upon the record sheets C, is usually posted on a permanent record sheet or the like at regular intervals, sometimes daily. This operation can readily and accurately be accomplished by providing permanent record or posting sheets, not shown, of a length at least equal to that of a fully opened sheet C and providing such posting sheets with rulings spaced to correspond to those of the record leaves l5 so that a sheet C, when removed from the holder, can be opened out and placed with each of its horizontal rulings in alignment with corresponding rulings on the posting sheet and the information properly posted or transferred line for line from one sheet to another. Of course, this line for line transferring or posting can be carried on progressively and without interruption from top to bottom of the open sheets over both of its opposite leaves. When used in accordance with the example just described, the holders will serve as index cards and will be provided with suitable identification tabs 20 and the sheets C will serve as tally or transfer sheets.

However, the use of the invention as above described is merely illustrative and is only one of the many uses for which the novel devices may be advantageously employed.

For use in pivotally anchoring the holders A to the base of support B, I detachably apply to the bottom edge of each holder A, a resilient anchoring element 2| formed to afford trunnions 22 suitable for journalling to the support B. For reception of opposite end portions of the resilient anchoring elements 2|, the card-like holders A are provided, adjacent their lower edges, with laterally spaced apertures 23. Intermediate these apertures 23 the holders are formed with laterally spaced slots extending inwardly from the bottom edges of the holders, said slots being in the nature of the anchoring element-receiving apertures 24 spaced from the edges of the holders and connected to the edges by narrow slits 25.

The resilient anchoring elements 2| are preferably of spring wire and are formed near opposite trunnion-forming ends with opposed laterally offset U-shaped loops 26 that are spaced equal to that of the holder apertures 23 and normally embrace opposite sides of the card-like holders adjacent the apertures 23. The free end portions of these loops 26 extend beyond the pivoted edges of the holders A and are turned outwardly to afford the trunnions 22. To apply an anchoring element 2! to a card-like holder A, the anchoring element and holder are bowed in opposite directions and then the trunnions 22 of the anchoring elements are inserted into the holder recesses 23, all as indicated in Fig. 4. The holder and anchoring element are then permitted to return to their normal conditions as in Fig. 5. The anchoring element is next positioned so that each of its loops 26 embraces the sides of the card-like holder adjacent the apertures 23 and the trunnions are properly positioned as in Fig. 6.

Now for the purpose of locking the anchoring element 2 I against accidental twisting or dislocating movements, the intermediate portion of the anchoring element is interlocked with the holder by laterally inserting the same into the spaced apertures 2 through the slits 25, as in Fig. 7. This can most readily be accomplished by bending the lip, formed between the spaced slits 25 and indicated by 27, toward the holder, inserting the holder and then permitting the lip 21 to return to a normal position. Preferably the intermediate portions of the anchoring elements are offset approximately the thickness of the holders for a space equal to the distance between the slits 25.

To receive the trunnions 22 and afford journals therefor, the support 13 is provided with a longitudinally extended series of opposed pairs of lugs indicated by 28 in Figs. 1, 2 and 12, and by 28 in Figs. 13 and 14. With reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 12, the pivot lugs 28 are in the nature of spring metal clips having main bodies of approximately U-shaped horizontally disposed and free ends turned upward to afford laterally spaced vertically disposed flanges 29 and 30, the latter being provided with trunnion-receiving apertures. 3| and the former being provided with gripping edges 32.

The opposite lugs 28 of each pair thereof are slidably mounted in an opposite one of a vertically spaced pair of guide channels 33. In this arrangement the lugs 28 are under spring tension to expand beyond the confines of the channels 33 and therefore frictionally engage the channels with sufficient pressure to prevent accidental displacement thereof from the channel. Displacement of a lug 28 is effected by raising the corner portion 34 thereof over the shallow outer side 35 of its channel 33, this being accomplished by squeezing the flanges 29 and 30 thereof together and then moving the lug laterally outward from the channel. To inserta lug 28 it is merely necessary to press the same laterally into the channel. The lugs 28 are readily slidable in the channels and in practice are pushed one against the neXt in line and are of such width as to maintain desired spacing of the holders A. Insertion of the opposite trunnion of a holder into the apertures provided therefor in opposite lugs 28 of a common pair is quickly and easily accomplished by bowing the holder and applied anchoring element sufliciently to permit initial insertion of the trunnio-n and then releasing the same and permitting them to assume a natural shape.

With reference to Figs. 13 and 14 lugs 28*, which may be cast, are approximately L-shaped, are provided in their vertically disposed flanges 36 with trunnion-receiving apertures 30 and the horizontal flanges thereof are formed with raised beaded edges 31. For use with this form of pivot lug the support B is provided with spring metal channels 38, the upper flanges of which conform to the lower flanges of the pivot lugs 28 and engage the same with spring tension. These lugs can be quite readily inserted into and removed from the channels by lateral movements under sufficient pressure to spring the upper edge of channel 38 open enough to permit passage of the beaded edge 31 of the lug 28 This application is filed as a continuation in part of my copending application Serial Number 702,917, filed of date December 18, 1933 and entitled Filing system.

What I claim is:

1. In a record keeping device, the combination with a rectangular card-like holder provided at one edge with means for pivotally mounting the same to a suitable base of support, of a record sheet folded over one of the other edges of the rectangular holder to afford a pair of connected leaves overlying opposite sides of the holder, and means for detachably anchoring the folded portion of the sheet to the holder and leaving other portions of the opposite leaves free, said sheet leaves extending into close relation to but not beyond the normal axis of the holder.

2. In a record keeping device, the combination with a substantially rectangular holder mounted at one edge on a base of support for pivotal movements in respect thereto, of a record sheet folded over the free edge of the holder to aiford a pair of leaves overlying opposite sides of the holder, and means detachably anchoring the folded portion of the sheet to the free edge portion of the holder, the said opposite leaves of the folded sheet being free except at the fold and terminating with their free edges in relatively close proximity to but. not beyond the axis of the pivoted edge of the holder.

3. In a record keeping device, the combination with a substantially rectangular and relatively stiff card-like holder provided at one edge with means for pivotally anchoring the same to a base of support, of a relatively flexible record sheet folded over the normally free edge of the holder to afford a pair of opposite leaves overlying oppotion of the sheet to the normally free edge of the holder.

4. The combination with a base of support and a substantially rectangular card-like holder pivoted at one edge to the base of support for movements of approximately 180, of a relatively fiexible record sheet folded over the free edge of the holder to afford a pair of opposite leaves normally overlying opposite faces of the holder and termimating with their free edges in relatively close proximity to the axis of the holdensaid leaves being free except at the fold, and means for detachably connecting the folded portion of the sheet to the free edge of the holder.

5. In a record keeping device, the combination with a substantially rectangular card-like holder, of va record sheet folded over one edge of the holder to afford a pair of leaves overlying opposite sides of the holder,said card-like holder being provided with laterally spaced opposed projections normally overlying opposite edge portions of the sheet at the fold.

6. The structuredefined in claim in further combination with opposed recesses in the sheet, one extending inwardly from each side thereof in alignment with the fold, the distance betweenthe inner extremities of the sheet recesses being approximately equal to the distance between the inner extremities of the recesses formed by the projections of the holder.

7. The structure defined in claim 2 in which the cmeans for detachably anchoring the folded sheet to the holder includes laterally spaced projections on the holder normally overlying opposite edge portions of the sheet at the fold.

t 8. The structure defined in claim 2 in which the means for detachably anchoring the folded sheet to the holder includes laterally spaced projections on the holder normally overlying opposite edge portions of the sheet at the fold, and opposed recesses in opposite edge portions of the sheet in alignment with the fold, the distance. between the inner extremities of the sheet recesses being approximately equal tothe distance between the inner extremities of the recesses formed by the holder projections.

9. In a record keeping device, the combination with a record carrying card, of laterally spaced apertures adjacent one edge of the card, a resilient wire-like element formed near opposite ends with laterally offset U-shaped loops spaced equal to that of the apertures in the card and normally embracing opposite sides of the card adjacent the apertures, said loops being offset approximately at right angles to the intermediate portion of the wire-like element and the free ends of said loops extending at approximately that angle to a point normally beyond the edge of the card and terminating in aligned outturned trunnions that are insertable through the card apertures by bowing the intermediate portion of the wire-like element.

10. The structure defined in claim 9 in which the card is provided, intermediate the first noted apertures, with laterally spaced slots extending inwardly from the edge of the card to permit lateral insertion of a portion of the wire element intermediate the loops thereof.

11. The structure defined in claim 9 in which the card is provided, intermediate the first noted apertures, with laterally spaced slots extending inwardly from the edge of the card'to permit lateral insertion of a portion of the wire-element intermediate the loops thereof, the intermediate portion of the wire-like element being offset approximately the thickness of the cardbetween points normally received by the card slots.

12. In a record keeping device, the combination with a base of support, a substantially rectangular card-like holder mounted at one edge on the base of-support for pivotal movements in respect thereto, of a record sheet folded over one of the other edges of the rectangular holder to afford a pair of connected leaves overlying opposite sides of the holder, and means for detachably anchoring the folded portion of the sheet to the holder and leaving other portions of the opposite leaves free, said sheet leaves extending into close relation to but not beyond the normal axis of the holder.

l3.v The structure defined in claim 3 in which the means for detachably anchoring the folded sheet to the holder includes laterally spaced projections on the holder normally overlying opposite edge portions of the sheet at the fold.

14. The structure defined in claim .3 in which the means for detachably anchoring the folded sheet to the holder includes laterally spaced projections on the holder normally overlying opposite edge portions of the sheet at the fold, and

opposed recesses in opposite edge portions of the sheet in alignment with the fold, the distance between the inner extremities of the sheet recesses being approximately equal to the distance between the inner extremities of the recesses formed by the holder projections.

15. .The structure defined in claim 1 in which the means for detachably anchoring the folded sheet to the holder includes laterally spaced projections on the holder normally overlying oppo-- site edge portions of the sheet at the fold, and

opposed recesses in opposite edge portions of the sheet in alignment with the fold, the distance between the innerextremities of the sheet recesses being approximately equal to the distancer between the inner extremities of the recesses formed by the holder projections.

16. A device of the character described comprising an index card and a transfer sheet folded over the upper edge of the card and extending down over the front and back faces thereof, said card having inwardly opposed, spaced, integral tabs on said upper edge releasably engaging opposite edges of the sheet.

17. In a record keeping device, the combination with a substantially rectangular card-like holder provided at one edge with means for pivotally mounting the same to a suitable base of support, of a record sheet folded over the holder near one of its other edges to afford a pair of connected leaves overlying opposite sides of the holder, and means for detachably anchoring the folded portion of the sheet to the holder and leaving other portions of the opposite leaves free,

said sheet leaves extending into close relation to holder and leaving other portions of the opposite leaves free, said sheet leaves extending into close relation to but not beyond the normal axis of the holder.

19. In a record keeping device, the combination with a rectangular card-like holder provided at one edge with means for pivotally mounting the same to a suitable base of support, of a record sheet folded over one of the other edges of the rectangular holder to afford a pair of connected leaves overlying opposite sides of the holder and extending freely from said holder edge into close relation to but not beyond the axis of the holder, and interlocking means for detachably anchoring the sheet to the holder, said interlocking means for detachably anchoring the folded sheet to the holder including laterally spaced projections on the holder normally overlying opposite edge portions of the sheet at the fold.

20. In a record keeping device, the combination with a, rectangular card-like holder provided at one edge with means for pivotally mounting the same to a suitable base of support, of a record sheet folded over one of the other edges of the rectangular holder to afford a pair of connected leaves overlying opposite sides of the holder and extending freely from said holder edge into close relation to but not beyond the axis of the holder, and interlocking means for detachably anchoring the sheet to the holder, said interlocking means for detachably anchoring the folded sheet to the holder including laterally spaced projections on the holder normally overlying opposite edge portions of the sheet at the fold, and opposed recesses in opposite edge portions of the sheet in alignment with the fold, the distance between the inner extremities of the sheet recesses being approximately equal to the distance between the inner extremities of the recesses formed by the holder projections.

BERNARD E. ROREM. 

